06/04/2012

DHS: Stop the Deportation of a Good Father Who Picked Up His Son at ICE

Help stop the deportation of Raul Ortiz-Garcia, a hardworking man who is always doing what is best for his family.

Raul is in danger of being deported because he is a good and caring father. His only son, Luis, was arrested in 2010 for racing on the highway. Since Luis was undocumented, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a hold on him. Because he was a minor, ICE would only release him to one of his parents – both of whom are also undocumented. Raul sacrificed himself by going to the ICE office to pick up Luis, knowing that they would also place him in deportation proceedings. Both Raul and Luis are now reporting regularly to the ICE office and appearing in immigration court in order to fight their deportations.

Raul's son, Luis, recently graduated for Waco high school and through the work ethic and commitment to education instilled by his father, Luis plans to attend college and study to be a mechanic.

Raul has been working in his community of Waco, Texas since he arrived in 1997, and has held the same job since 2003. He is known as a very hardworking employee, who works 40+ hours a week to provide for his family. He and his partner, Lourdes Flores, are proud homeowners and taxpayers as well. He is described by friends and coworkers as honest and loyal, responsible and calm, and a well rounded individual. He even coaches his community’s soccer team that his son plays on.

In spite of all of his contributions to his family and community, ICE wants to deport Raul Ortiz-Garcia back to Iztacalco, D.F., Mexico. Although this is his city of origin, Raul knows Waco, Texas as home. When he was involved in an auto accident in 1999 and sent back to Mexico, he returned to his home in 2 weeks so that he could continue to provide for his family, financially and emotionally.

The Obama Administration recently said it was focusing its immigration enforcement resources on the highest priority cases: threats to national security and public safety. They said they would not deport people with strong family and community ties in the United States. Raul Ortiz-Garcia is a perfect example of the person that they are aiming to keep in America. His family and community rely on him heavily and he poses no risk to national security.

Please help us to keep Raul here in America for his family and friends. ICE has the authority to use their discretion to close Raul’s case and one of the factors that they look at is community support and attention. By signing this petition, you will help to show ICE that there is widespread support for Raul to remain in Waco, Texas with his family and continue the American dream.

We are asking that you support Raul and his family by signing this petition urging ICE officials to exercise their discretion and terminate Raul’s case. Although Raul did come to this country without inspection, this was done over 12 years ago and should not outweigh how important he is to his family and community.

We are betraying all we say we are as Americans when we deport people like Raul Ortiz-Garcia and justice demands that Raul be allowed to stay in America to care and provide for his family.

Along with signing this petition, we are asking that you ask the Department of Homeland Security to end Raul Ortiz-Garcia's deportation. Call the Department of Homeland Security (202-282-8495) and leave the following message (or something similar):

"Hello, I am calling on behalf of Raul Ortiz-Garcia, A#076-656-831. Raul is a father who was placed in removal proceeding when he went to the ICE office to pick up his minor son. He has lived in Waco, Texas for 15 years. I am calling to ask the Department of Homeland Security to please stop his deportation. Thank you."